The Civil War in Chowan County, North Carolina

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THE CIVIL WAR IN CHOWAN COUNT!,
NORTH CAROLINA

Richard Dillard

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RICHARD DILLARD, A, M., M, D.

Formerly a Member of the No if th Carolina Historical Commission

O war, thou art the Soft of hell !

1916

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North Carolina State Library
Raleigh

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Civil War in Chowan County

North Carolina

By

RICHARD DILLARD, A. M., M. D.

Formerly a Member of the North Carolina Historical Commission

O war, thou art the son of hell !

— Shakespere

1916

THE EARLY SECESSION MOVEMENT.

On February 21st, 1861, a mass meeting was held at
the Court-House in Edenton to consider the interest of
North Carolina, and her relation to the National Govern-
ment. John H. Leary was elected chairman, and T. J.
Bland Secretary. A committee was at once appointed
consisting of John C. Badham, John A Benbury, Eiddick
Mansfield, John Thompson, and John H, Garrett to draft
resolutions expressive of the sentiment of the people of
the county. Three reports were submitted, a majority
report by John A. Benbury, advising prudence, and
caution, and discretion, believing that the Peace Con-
gress then in session would find a solution of the trouble
between the states ; then a minority report was submitted
by John C. Badham urging an immediate separation from
the Union, and the necessity of adopting means of de-
fense: A third report was offered by John H. Garrett
counselling a strict adherence for the time to the Union,
until the incoming administration should commit some
overt act sufficient to cause a rupture with the National
Government. The majority report was, however,
adopted, the minority withdrew at once from the Con-
vention, and nominated John C. Badham as the secession
candidate to represent the County in the State Con-
vention, which had been called to convene in Raleigh.
William E. Bond was nominated as the Union candidate.
At the election held on February 22nd the result was as
follows. Bond, four hundred and twenty-seven; Badham,
seventy-nine; Bond's majority, three hundred and forty-
eight.

On the 4th of March Lincoln was inaugurated, but
those who loved the Union, and hoped for so much per-
ceived in his inaugural address not a straw" to cling to,
and he soon afterwards issued his celebrated proclama-
tion calling upon North Carolina to furnish troops to in-
vade her sister states, and to force them again into the

Union; so on the 1st day of May a second convention
was held in Edenton, and nominated Dr. Richard Dillard,
senior, who was elected without opposition to the State
Convention called by Gov. Ellis, which met in Raleigh
on May 20th, the anniversary of the Mecklenburg Decla-
ration of Independence, and severed pur connection with
the Union. This convention is considered the ablest body
of men that ever assembled for any purpose within the
borders of the State.

Warlike preparations at once began, the "Dixie
Rebels," a six-months' volunteer company, was at once
organized by Capt. James K. Marshall, he was after-
wards promoted to the rank of Colonel. John C. Badham,
a Lieutenant in this company, afterwards became Major
in the 5th N. C, and gave his life for his country at Wil-
liamsburg, Va., May 5th, 1862, at which time he held a
commission of Lieut.-Colonel. Capt. T. L. Skinner also
organized a company; he fell at Mechanicsville, and was
succeeded by John A. Benbury, who soon shared the same
fate.

In November, 1861, the entire militia of Chowan
County was ordered to Roanoke Island for its defense. It
consisted of four companies, commanded by Captains
Jno. C. Pearce, Thos. Wilson, Isaac Byrum, and J. C.
Johnston. These companies constituted the 5th Regiment
of N. C. militia. The regimental officers were W. A.
Moore, Col., R. G. Mitchell, Lt.-Col., Wm. H. Bonner,
Major, Wm. Badham, Quarter Master, Jos. G. Godfrey,
Commissary, Dr. R. H. Winborne, Surgeon and Dr. L. P.
Warren, Assistant Surgeon. After this a draft of militia
was again made, and a company formed with John C.
Pearce as Captain. They encamped for some time at
Center Hill.

The Edenton Bell Battery was recruited by Capt.
Wm. Badham in the winter '61- '62, and left Edenton
soon after the fall of Roanoke Island, they went to Wel-
don, and on to Raleigh with sixty men, there they were
joined by Lieut. Nelson McCleese of Tyrrell County, with
twenty-two men, and by Lieut. Gaskins with about twenty
men.

It was understood that Mr. McCleese in attaching
himself to this battery would receive a commission as
Lieut. Lieut. McCleese was to command one section and
two guns, and Lieut. John M. Jones another section and
two guns also. After drilling in Raleigh about two
months, they were ordered to Camp Lee near Richmond
for instruction. As gun metal was scarce, Capt. Badham
sent Lieut. Jones to Edenton to secure the church bells,
and any others that he • might obtain, to be cast into
.cannon, in response to General Beauregard's famous
call. He readily secured all the bells except the Baptist
(several members objecting), including the town and
court-house bells, the Academy bell, and the shipyard
bells ; these were conveyed to Suffolk across the country
in a wagon, and shipped to the Tredegar Iron Works at
Richmond, where they were cast into four cannon, and
named respectively, the "St. Paul," the "Fannie Roul-
hac," for a devout and patriotic lady, a staunch member
of the Methodist Church, the "Columbia," and the
"Edenton." As the complement of the artillery corps
of General Lee's army was then complete, an order was
issued that all other artillery in camps should be trans-
ferred, for the time, to the infantry service; this pro-
duced great mortification, and disappointment in the com-
pany, and Capt. Badham at once dispatched Lieut. Jones
to President Jefferson Davis with the following note:
"Sir: The guns of my company were made of the bells
of my town, and have tolled to their last resting place a
great many of the parents and relatives of my command,
and sooner than part with these guns, they had rather be
taken out and shot. But, if allowed to keep these guns
they will stand by them till they die. ' '

This spirited, and patriotic letter was handed to
Colonel Dorcas then chief of ordinance, who conveyed
it at once to President Davis. Lieut. Jones had not long
to wait, the reply came at once that the company would
be furnished as soon as possible with both artillery-
horses, and harness. The Battery was then assigned to
Moore's Third North Carolina Battalion. Horses were
difficult to procure, in the meantime McClellan had

assumed the offensive around Richmond, and the battery-
was ordered to Redoubt No. 7, until the horses arrived,
when they were sent to Winchester to report to General
Pendleton, after being there three months the battery was
ordered to report for duty to General McLaws, but the
order was soon rescinded. Then came a call from North
Carolina ordering the battery to Wilmington, the guns
were immediately shipped by rail to Wilmington, and
Lieut. Jones with a special detachment carried the horses,
and accoutrements through the country. When he
arrived at Goldsboro, Gov. Vance, finding that the enemy
were threatening, and near, ordered him to halt there,
and the guns which had already arrived in Wilmington
were immediately ordered by telegram back to Golds-
boro. From Goldsboro they marched to Kinston, and re-
ported to Gen. R. F. Hoke. Capt. Badham, upon receipt
of news that an engagement was in progress, sent Lieut.
McCleese with section No, 2 to Whitehall bridge, Lieut.
Jones was ordered down ten hours later, when he found
that McCleese had lost tw^o of his men. Jones was then
sent six miles up the river, but as no demonstration was
made there, he was ordered on to Goldsboro to protect
that town. After about a week the battery was ordered
to Wilmington, and guarded the railroad bridge at North-
east, from there they went to Bald Head Island, and did
guard duty on the coast until the fall of Fort Fisher,
when they fell back on Fort Anderson; after the flank
movement of the enemy, and the evacuation of Fort
Anderson, the battery was located at Town Creek, where
they were attacked by the enemy with considerable force,
Capt. Badham sent Sergeant B. F. Hunter with one gun,
the ''St. Paul," to prevent them from making a flank
movement, while he was engaging them at Town Creek;
Hunter was supported by a detachment of South Carolina
infantry, who broke and ran, leaving him on the field
with but a squad of men. Hunter stood his ground fear-
lessly, and when the enemy arrived at the very muzzle
of his gun, a Federal officer shouted to him, ''If you fire
that gun I will kill you." The Confederate Sergeant,
with that coolness, and intrepidity which always charac-

6

terized him, replied, "Kill, and go to hell," and then
ordered his 'gunner, William Hassell, to lire immediately.
He was captured, and would have been cut down at once,
but the Federal officer ordered his men to spare his life,
saying, "He's too brave a man to be killed. " About fifteen
men were captured along with Sergeant Hunter and sent
to prison at Point Lookout, among them Mr. A. T. Bush
of this town. The remainder of the battery fell back to
Wilmington, and were subsequently engaged at Cox's
Bridge, finally surrendering to General Sherman at
Greensboro.

The names, dimensions, and officers in command of
the Edenton Bell Battery taken from the note-book of
the late Capt. Wm. Badham.

The "St. Paul" — made from St. Paul's church bell
in charge of Sergeant B. F. Hunter. Horwitzer 1533,
E. B. face 1862 left trunnion I. R. A. & Co., F. F. right
trunnion 7760 breech.

The "Fannie Roulhac" — made from the Methodist
Church bell, and in charge of Sergeant Harry Gregory.
Howitzer — 1582 face E. B. also 1862, left trunnion I. R. A.
& Co., F. F. Right trunnion breech 770.

The "Columbia" — made from the bells of the two
shipyards, owned by Col. T. L. Skinner and Col. R. T.
Paine. Gun in charge of Sergeant Ed. Davenport, 1534
face E. B. also— 1862 left trunnion I. R. A. & Co., F. F.
right trunnion, breech 860.

The "Edenton" — made from .the Academy, Co-urt
House, and Hotel bells, and other bells presented by
private individuals. Gun in cliarge of Sergeant George
Parish. No. 1531 face E. B. 1862— left trunnion I. R. A.
& Co., F. F. right trunnion 860 pounds breech.

The "St. Paul," and the "Edenton" were com-
manded by Lieut. John M. J ones, the ' ' Fannie Roulhac, ' '
and "Columbia" were commanded by Lieut. Nelson
McCleese. The guns did service at the following places,
Winchester, Culpeper Court House, the Seven days
fight around Richmond in redoubt No. 7, Goldsboro,
Kinston, Whitehall Bridge, Bald Head, Smithfield, (now
called Southport), Fort Anderson, Town Creek, the

streets of Wilmington, Bentonville, Cox's Bridge, and
surrendered to General Sherman at Greensboro.

At the first outbreak of war the feeling had not
fully crystallized here, but afterwards the majority of the
best sentiment of the County was strongly in favor of
Secession, and the whole atmosphere became infased
and steeped in enthusiasm: As an evidence of the un-
selfish patriotism and earnestness of our people, I append
the following from the records of the County Court here,
which are of great local interest : Special Session of the
Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions held for the County
of Chowan at the Court House in Edenton on the 27th
day of April, A. D. 1861, the following Justices being
present, to-wit:

James D. Wynn,
Leml. Sawyer,
James Norcum,
T. L. Skinner,
Will H. Standin,
Saml. T. Bond,
Richard Dillard,
Alex H. Bond,
Wm. E. Bond.
It is ordered by the Court that the" sum of Four
Thousand Dollars be appropriated by the County for the
purpose of assisting the families of those who shall volun-
teer from the County of Chowan, and whose families
would suffer their absence. It is ordered further that
John H. Leary, Wm. R. Skinner and William H. Elliott
and Dr. R. Dillard be and they are appointed a finance
committee for the purpose of distributing said fund.
It is ordered that the Finance Committee are at any
time empowered to borrow from any bank in the State,
or from private individuals any portion, or so much of
the above amount as in their judgment may be necessary.
And it is further ordered that the Finance Committee
shall at any time be empowered, either singly or con-
jointly to issue County orders in part of this fund re-
deemable twelve months after date, or sooner if in their
judgment proper. Said orders not to bear interest and

always to be preferred to raisingmoney through the banks
and not to exceed both in orders or money borrowed from
bank, the above mentioned amount. W-e hereby pledge
the faith and resources of Chowan County to such notes
or orders as the Finance Committee may sign. And it
is further ordered that such Finance Committee meet at
least once in every month.

To avoid misconception we hereby pledge the
County to those who may volunteer in the service of
their Country to make from time to time such other and
further appropriations as may be necessary to continue
the assistance above provided for the support of their
families during their absence.

Jas. D. Wynne, (J. P.)
W. E. Bond, (J. P.)

Saml. T. Bond, (J. P.)
Leml. Sawyer, (J. P.)
Will H. Standin, (J. P.)
Alex H. Bond, (J. P.)
Jas. Norcum, (J. P.)
Rich. Dillard, (J. P.)
T. L. Skinner. (J. P.)

MAY TERM, 1861.

Whereas the following gentlemen, towit: John H.
Leary, did on the 3rd day of this month execute their
bond payable to

for the sum of Two Thousand Dollars for the purpose
of procuring funds to defray the exp'enses of the Volun-
teers from this County, it is ordered by the Court, that
the said debt be assumed by the County, and that a com-
mittee of two be appointed and empowered to receive and
disburse said amount, and that said committee be further
empowered and authorized to borrow on the faith and
credit of the County, any further sum, which in their
judgment the necessities of the Volunteers may require.
Ordered that Thomas D, Warren and Thomas W.
Hudgins be and they are appointed the committee for
receiving and disbursing and carrying into effect the

above order and that they keep an account of their acts,
and return an account of the same with vouchers to this
Court.

Edenton, N. C.

April 27th, 1861.
Dr. Eichard Dillard :
Dear Sir:

Your noble offer to the Court of Pleas and Quarter
Sessions of Chowan County has been laid before us, and
had our consideration. The following- action was taken
on it with entire unanimity :

Resolved : That we have received with pleasure the
generous and patriotic offer of tlie net produce and
profits of your farm to the support of our volunteers and
their families : — that we accept it with the intention of
availing ourselves of it so far as may be necessary: —
and that we spread upon the Records of the Court this
act of whole-souled patriotism on the part of Dr. R.
Dillard, that it may be held in perpetual remembrance.

We are. Dear Sir,

Yours very respectfully,

Jas. D. Wynn, J. P.
T. L. Skinner, J. P.
Jas. T. Norcom, J. P.
Saml. T. Bond, J. P.
Alex. H. Bond, J. P.
Will. H. Standing, J. P.
Leml. Sawver, J. P.
W. E. Bond, J. P.

John A. Benbury at the same time pledged his estate
for Five Thousand Dollars to the support of our volun-
teers and their families.

After the Buffaloes had become established at Wing-
field, a Ranger Company was organized with Edmund
Blount as Captain, but becoming frightened, Capt. Blount
resigned, and s}Tnpathized with the Union cause: the
other Cajjtains were Peter M. Warren, Jesse Rogerson,

10

and Richard Keougli an Irishman, who was in command
at the close of the war: They numbered thirty five or
forty men, and were encamped out in. the deep woods on
the "Thickneck Koad. " Sometimes squads of these
Rangers would visit Edenton at night and leave their
guns with Mr. E. W. Burton, who lived on East Church
Street, near the old Methodist Church (some years ago
destroyed by fire) : Mr. Burton, who was then a boy,
would crawl in one of the church wijidows and hide the
guns under the pulfjit, over Parson Holmes' grave, and
deliver them to the Rangers when the}' left town just
before daybreak.

WINGFIELD AND TPIE BUFFALOES.

While all these military activities w^ere going on by
our people to defend their country against the invasion
of a common enemy, the disloyal element of this section
were no less occupied : A number of lawless men, styled
Buffaloes, banded themselves together to rob, pillage, and
otherwise menace the public safety. These men were not
the sole product of Chowan County, but gathered from
the entire section of Eastern North Carolina, and from
Virginia. They seized and established themselves at
Wingfield, the beautiful home of Dr. Richard Dillard,
Senior, and it soon became the rendezvous of fugitive
negroes, lawless white men, traitors, and deserters from
the Confederate army. This place was selected by them
not only on account of its strategic situation upon an
elevated table-land along the Chowan River, but in the
neighborhood there w^ere a number of people strongly in
favor of the Union cause, giving them additional security
and audacity: It was also done as an act of vengeance
against Dr. Dillard who was an ardent Secessionist, and
a member of the Convention that seceded the State from
the Union. And more than that, a spirit of anarchy and
destruction seemed to possess them all.

11

They were held in contempt alike by both Con-
federates and Federals as may be seen from Lieut. Comm.
Flusser's report:

Eeport of Lieutenant-Commander Flusser, U. S. Navy,
regarding expedition to Edenton, N. C.

U. S. S. Commodore Perry,

Plymouth, N. C, September 19, 1862.

My Dear Davenport :

I sent to Edenton yesterday to arrest some thirty
men who had formed themselves into a company to attack
our home guard thieves at Wing field, and who were only
prevented from executing their intentions by an accident
to the man who was to furnish the ammunition for the
party. Colhoun succeeded in capturing three. I send
them to-day to Eoanoke, with a request to Howard to
hold them.

With best wishes, yours sincerely,

C. W. Flusser.
Commander H. K. Davenport,

New Berne, N. C.

Wingfield w^as in Colonial days the home of the
Brownriggs, who emigrated from the Vale of Avoca in
Wicklow County, Ireland. The house was finished in 1762,
and was built of brick. It was a large square central
building with wings on either side, and fronted directly
on the river : The bank, which is quite bold at this point,
was terraced down to the river shore: Long rows of
Catalpa trees, planted with reference to use in shipbuild-
ing, stretched from the house to the main road, three
quarters of a mile. Few gates were used about the
premises, old fashioned English stiles, with broad plat-
forms, took their places.

This house was destroyed by a fire which originated
in the laundry wing in 1772, and was not rebuilt until
1790, the new building, though a wooden structure,

12

preserving the beauty and form of the old one : Formerly
an old wind mill stood sentinel upon the river bank, and
away to the south, at the mouth of Indian Creek, which
bounds the estate, nestled the fishery, with its long low
shelters, the first one ever established in this section.
It was an idylic spot; the sunshine spilled in diapered
patterns of light and shadow upon the lawn through the
rifts in the foilage of the stately ancestral trees, and the
ancient river lapped the shore at the back of the beautiful
old garden. Such was Wingfield at the time of its occu-
pation by the Buffaloes. Wheeler, our historian, says:
"This section of the state suffered sadly from the ravages
of warfare, for after the fall of Roanoke Island the
sounds and navigable rivers were open to the enemy's
gunboats. These coasted up and down, and bore off the
means and necessaries of life, living freights of fugitive
negroes, and the low and skulking Buffaloes. These
were shameless and mean whites, who turned traitors to
their friends, and betrayed them to their unrelenting foes :
They were held in abhorrence and contempt. They es-
tablished a stronghold at Wingfield, the lovely homestead
of the Brownrigg family, afterwards occupied by Dr.
Dillard, but the Buffaloes took possession, and the
spacious halls, once the scene of elegance and beauty,
were occupied by a foul and cowardly crew, who became
such an intolerable nuisance that the building w^as fired.
These miscreants plundered alike the plate and pianos of
the rich, as also the poultry and breadstuff s of the poor. ' '
The family were away in Virginia, and the late Mr. Wm.
P. Jones was in charge at Wingfield when the Buffaloes
arrived, but he stubbornly refused to leave his post. In
August, 1862, a detachment of N. Y. Mounted Rifles from
Suffolk under Capt. Terwilliger, seventy-five in all, came
to the place, and ordered him to furnish his men with
the necessary supplies, he remained two weeks, and was
succeeded by Captain Walter S. Poor, and he in turn
by Capt. A . J. McLane : After that another Company of
cavalry came and took complete possession of every-
thing, and demanded the keys, which Mr. Jones peremp-
torily refused to surrender; he was then placed under

IS

arrest in the carriage house, the buildings were broken
open and looted, and he was ordered to either leave, or
take the oath of allegiance and remain with them, this
he contemptuously declined to do, and left the place:
The Buifaloes were now in complete possession, and con-
stituted Company E of the North Carolina United
States Infantry, commanded by the notorious Jack Fair-
less; Fairless was subsequently killed at Wardville by
one of his own men, a deserter from the Confederate
army, named Wallace. Fairless was very abusive and
overbearing, and Wallace drew his revolver and shot
him dead, making good his escape, after that Joseph W.
Etheridge, 1st Lieut, was in command.

Report of Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Woodard, U. S.

Navy, regarding conduct of a company of

home guards stationed at Wingfield, N. C.

IT. S. S. Shawsheen,
Off Plymouth, N. C, September 28, 1862.

Sir:

In obedience to your order, I submit to you the fol-
lowing report in regard to proceedings of a company of
home guards stationed at Wingfield, Chowan County, N.
C. On my arrival there on the 18th of September I found
out of sixty- three recruits only twenty present; the
others had gone to their homes or elsewhere, as they
chose. The captain was in a state of intoxication,
threatening to shoot some of the remaining men, and con-
ducting himself in a most disgraceful manner by taking
one man's horse and making other people pay him the
money to pay for them, and this, too, from people who
were well disposed toward our Government. He had
some eight or ten horses when I went there, gotten in
this way. He has no contral over his men and (by) the
manner in which he conducts himself he is doing much
injury to the cause of the U. S. Government. Some of the
men that have gone have taken their arms or guns with
them; the ammunition has all been smuggled out and

14

sold to citizens for liquor; what remaining arms there

were I took on board for safe-keeping. On the 21st,

Captain Fairless went off and left his men, as he said,

to go to New Berne by way of Suffolk. His men say

they will serve under him no longer. They are now left

in charge of a man they call lieutenant, with no clothing,

no rations; are dependent on the county for subsistence.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

liios. J. Woodward,

Acting Volunteer Lieutenant, Commanding.

Lieutenant-Commander Chas. W. Flusser,

Senior Naval Officer Present.

Wingfield was occupied by them nearly two years,
and most of the time a United States gunboat was
stationed in the river back of the house. On Nov.
17th, 1862, Capt. Ned Small of Edenton with a company
of 20 picked men, among whom was Mr. W. D. Rea,
crossed the Chowan at Harrellsville with the intention
of capturing the Buffalo camp at Wingfield, but too much
publicity had been given his plans, the pickets were in-
formed and on the alert, and having ample warning the
Buffaloes took refuge on the gunboat back of the garden.*
The neighborhood was then shelled and Small was obliged
to withdraw without having accomplished his purpose.

The following is the report of the Federal Com-
mander concerning this expedition.

U. S. S. Shawsheen,
Off Wingfield, N. C, November 19, 1862.

Sir:

I have the honor to submit to you the following re-
port of preceedings about here day before yesterday, the
17th instant. A body of rebel troops crossed the river

*The following boats were on duty at Wingfield during the
Buffalo occupation: The Hunchback, E. R. Calhoun, Comm., The
Shawsheen, Thos. J. Woodward, Comm., Whitehead, Chas. A. French,
Comm., and the Lockwood, G. W. Graves, Comm.

15

at night — near as can be ascertained, two companies,
Small's and Hill's. Tliey have pressed horses and
mounted part of their number. Last night they drove
in all the pickets. At 10 P. M. I drove them l3ack by
shelling them, when the pickets were put out and at 3
A. M., 18th instant, they were driven in again by cavalry
and infantry, when I again shelled them out. No more
was seen of tbem, as the pickets were not put out until
daylight. Expended forty rounds of ammunition during
i^.ii night. The U. S. S. Lockwood arrived up here at
8 o'clock to-night. At 11:30 P. M. the pickets were all
driven in. At about the same time the troops all fell
back to the river, when both steamers shelled the grounds
in the vicinity of the camp and picket station, as many
troops were s'een. 1 took all our troops and all the contra-
nds on board, there being about 200 contrabands now
here, then threw a few rounds of grape and canister all
about tEe camp groimd. Everything remains quiet at
present since shelling them. We destroyed the boats
they came across in. They crossed about 2 miles above
here at Cannon's Ferry, (Chowan River). Two men left
here this morning with a dispatch for Suffolk, (Va.), to
acquaint the general commanding there of their being
on this side of the river.

As they have not effected their object in capturing
the home guard or destroying the headquarters, I think
they will not stay on this side long. As there is no pro-
vision made here for contrabands, I will send part of
what are here to Pl;^Tnoutli by the Lockwood for your
disposal. She will leave at daylight.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Thos. J. Woodward,
Acting Volunteer Lieutenant, Commanding.

Lieutenant-Commandei Chas. W. Flusser,

Senior Officer, Albemarle Sound.

Wingfield was unfortified at that time, and the
Buffaloes had no protection save from the gunboats
lying out in the river, but it was accomplished with the

16

North Carolina State Library
Raleigh

greatest military skill and alacrity ; a Federal officer was
detailed to devise the plans, and have them executed, and
the large number of negroes, who had fled thither from
the masters, were compelled to do this work. A line
of breastworks were constructed commencing at the river
bank some distance above the house, running a south-
easterly direction 200 yards, they then turned south 400
yards across the field to a ravine, which carried a small
stream, fed by springs : Across this was thrown a dam
to hold water 10 ft. deep, and, at a point where it emptied
into the river, was another dam holding water 15 feet
deep; making approach from the south almost im-
possible ; on the river bank were erected two blockhouses,
and at the northeast angle of the fortifications, which
was their weakest point, a fort was constructed, the earth
was thrown up in a mound 75 feet square and 15 feet
high, and this was surmounted by a house built of heavy
hewn logs covered with a flat roof. Embrasures were
made for rifles, and four port holes looking North, South,
East and West; here they planted a cannon, which had
been secured at Edenton. The fortifications in all com-
prised an area of 50 acres, with the residence in the mid-
dle, and two sally-ports. A smaller line of inside breast-
works 150 yards long encircled the fort, to prevent en-
filading. For their further security, and to prevent sur-
prises, they cut down all the trees in the lawn and along
the river bank, and burned all the buildings lying outside
the fortifications, reserving the residence for general
headquarters. During the winter of 1863 the 42nd N. C.
Eegiment was quartered at Garysburg, Col. Jno. E.
Brown of Charlotte in comand. Col. Brown was ordered
by Gen. D. H. Hill to attack the fort at Wingfield and
drive the Buffaloes from the section. So taking with him
Company B, W. H. Crawford, Captain, Co. E, T. J.
Brown, Capt. and Co. F, Wiley F. Clement, Captain,
making a complement of 150 men, he established head-
quarters at Merry Hill, placing a line of pickets to pro-
tect his movements.

Early in March, 1863, as soon as he had completed
his arrangements, he crossed the Chowan in small boats,

17

and landed at Chamber's Ferry after dark, intending to
suprise the enemy tlie next morning at daybreak, but
finding the distance greater than expected, he decided
to march his men to a woods surrounding Winglield, in
an easy striking distance, bivouac for the night, and
watch the enemy's movements: The next day was Sun-
day, which the Buffaloes spent in target shooting and
general carousing. That evening he captured several of
the Buffaloes on the road going to the camp, but one of
the enemy's pickets accidentally saw^ some of his men,
and running to the block houses, sounded the long roll:
Almost immediately the Federal gunboat, lying back of
the house, shelled Col. Brown's position so vigorously
that he was forced to retire and his plans were for the
time frustrated. Col. Brown then resolved to recross the
River, being in the enemy's country with but one day's
rations. At the mouth of Rockyhock Creek he was at-
tacked by 200 Federal Cavalry from Gatesville, and a
l)ody of marines, which had been landed from a gunboat
in the river : A fierce engagement followed, but the
Federals, terror-stricken by the "Rebel yell," which was
here used for the first time, fell back into the adjacent
swamps. A relief expedition was hastily formed by the
Confederates on the other side of the river, and Col.
Brown and his men were taken across the Chowan at
midnight in safety.

But Col. Brown was not to be foiled and discouraged
by this failure, for in about three weeks he again crossed
the river and attacked the Buffaloes at Wingfield at day-
break, approaching the place by what is known as the
''Yellow Hammer Road." It was a thick foggy morning,
not a gunboat was in the river, and he charged the
enemy's camp, crossing the open field with a rush, en
masse, and captured it: A number of buffaloes and
negroes fled to the swamp, while others escaped in small
boats to Plymouth, then in the hands of the Federals.
Twenty-two of the buffaloes, finding their escape cut off,
took refuge in the large blockhouse, their cannon was
fired twice by a man named Byrum, but the aim was poor
and no casualties resulted. One Federal soldier was

18

killed, and buried in the family graveyard. Col. Brown,
having no artillery, did not attempt to capture the block-
house. General Foster, in the meantime, learning of the
engagement, came up with three gunboats, and under
their protection the twenty-two remaining buft'aloes
were taken on board, and he steamed away : Col. Brown
burned the residence, and destroyed the forts to prevent
their return, and then withdrew his troops. He thus de-
livered the country from the depredation of the Buffa-
loes. This haxjpened about the First of April, 1863. The
outline of these fortifications are as distinct today as
wiien they were first erected. I appead the following
from the Naval War Records, Vol. VIII:
Report of Acting Master French, U. S. Navy, com-
manding U. S. S. Whitehead, regarding the
duties performed by that vessel from
October 1st to 15th, 1862.

U. S. S. Whitehead,
Off Plymouth, October 22, 1862.

Sir:

In obedience to your order relative to the employ
of this steamer under my command from the 1st to the
15th instant, I respectfully submit the following report
in detail:

On the 1st, left my anchorage off Wingfield (Chowan
River) and proceeded down in seai^ch of boats, stopping
at intervals and sending an armed crew on shore, where
I found and destroyed several ; returned to my anchor-
age at 10 A. M. At 1 P. M. I took one officer and armed
crew and proceeded up the river to a creek some 6 miles
above in search of a noted rebel, but did not succeed in
finding him at home. I captured and destroyed four
boats. At 4:30 I returned on board.

On 2d and 3d, took part in expedition up river under
your command, a report of which has already been given
you.

On 4th, left my anchorage off Wingfield and pro-
ceeded down river; fired two shots at a boat, which

19

brought her alongside, containing three fishermen;
paroled the men, destroying their boat. Chased another
boat on shore ; sent on shore and destroyed her, together
with an army wagon ; returned to anchorage at 5 :30 re-
ceived two deserters from the rebel Army on board;
administered to them the oath of allegiance, and enlisted:
them in the home guard stationed here.

On 6th, cruised up and down river and returned to
anchorage. At 8 P. M. got underway and proceeded
down; anchored; at 9:30 took armed crew on shore and
proceeded to the house of a rebel about 3 miles inland;
surrounded it, capturing him and a rebel soldier; also
a small quantity of goods destined for Colerain; sent
a detachment to the house of Mr. Felton ; captured him,
but found no goods. I subsequently paroled him.

On the 7th, learning that a quantity of goods, horses,
contrabands, etc., were being sent to Empire (Empe-
ror) Landing for the purpose of crossing, I got under-
way at 6 P. M. and went down; arrived there at 9 and
went on shore with armed crew; proceeded inland about
2 miles to the house of Smith, a notorious smuggler,
where I met a detachment of the company stationed at
Wingfield, by this ho]Ding to cut off their retreat, but
regret that the information came too late, they all having
got over the river with the exception of two mules and
cart ; these I captured and sent to camp. Smith was not
to be found.

On the 9th I proceeded up river near to the mouth
of the Blackwater, destroyed several boats, and returned
to anchorage at 8:30 P. M. From this date to 15th
nothing occurred worthy of note. Total number of boats
captured and destroyed, 16,

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Charles A. French,
Acting Master, Commanding Steamer Whitehead.

Lieutenant Commander, Charles W. Flusser,

Commanding Naval Forces in Albemarle Sound.

20

THE CxWALRY RAIDS.

After the Rangers had been organized, a squad of
Federal cavalry belonging to a New York Regiment, and
piloted by a negro boy were fired upon from ambush out
near "Lone Pine;" a soldier named Churchill was
wounded, and one named FuUiger was killed, having
been shot through the heart, he rode two hundred yards
before falling: He was brought in town, and carried to
Mr. Thomas Hankins' undertaker shop on Main street,
the same house now occupied by the Chinese Laundry,
his body was subsequently removed by the Federals.

The other soldier, named Churchill from New York,
was very painfully wounded in the head, and was cared
for in a room above Mr. Geo. W. Smith's store, now
occupied by Mr. E. W. Burton: he was nursed by the
very best ladies of the town, and received every kindness
and attention from the people. Eventually convalescing,
he went away on a gunboat, after thanking the people
of the town for treating him so nobly and so generously.

Some time after this incident a punitive expedition
came here from Suffolk, Va., consisting of two Regiments
of Cavalry, the Pennsylvania Bucktails, under Col. Saml.
P. Spear, and the First New York Mounted Rifles, com-
manded by Col. Underdonk. Two thousand men and
horses arrived at eight or nine o'clock in the morning,
and were all over town before their presence was even
suspected. After they had been here about an hour, a
picket came running in and stated that one of their men
had been shot near the branch on the ''Paxton Lane:"
Major Terwilliger, who was with Col. Underdonk, angrily
exclaimed, ' ' Damn them, we will burn this town ! ' ' Col.
Thomas W. Hudgins, then Mayor, hastily called a meet-
ing of the town officers, and after a heated argument
with the Federal officers, prevailed upon them to abandon
their horrible intention, saying that "the people of the
town should not be held responsible for a shooting done
in the country. ' '

As a matter of protection, and under special invi-
tation, Major Terwilliger took up his headquarters at the

21

old Edenton Bank building, then a private residence, and
now called "Beverly Hall:" It was summer, and his
soldiers slept upon the porches, and tied their horses to
the fences in front of the building, and Dr. T. D. War-
ren's next door, and demolished them : Some of the other
officers were quartered in the Paxton house, just across
the street; Col. Underdonk had his headquarters at the
residence of Mr. S. T. Bond on Main Street. When the
shooting of the soldier was first announced, nearly every
citizen caught on the streets was arrested, including the
boys, these were packed in the guard-house, the little
store next to Mr. Brothers', it was then the tailor shop
of a free mulatto man, named Mack Manning, this place
was dubbed by the prisoners, "Fort Mack."

Their discomforts and sufferings were intense,
crowded in the small building on a hot August day, with
no ventilation, but a kind hearted soldier, passing by
pittied them and said that if any one would write a note
he would take it to the Provost Marshal." A piece of
brown paper was at once produced, and the note written :
Very soon they were all marched to a more comfortable
place, the old Sawyer Store, where the Branning Store
now stands. Here they were confined for two days and
nights, without food or water, excejjt what was sent from
their several homes. Finally on Saturday afternoon they
were marched in squads of four or five to the office of
the Provost Marshal, in a building near the Woodard
House, and dis'charged. The regiments marched away
on Sunday morning.

A very amusing incident occurred just here. Before
Col. Underdonk 's raid, a squad of New York Cavalry
from Sutfolk desired to come to Edenton under a flag
of truce, to take l)ack into the Federal lines a lady, the
widow of Jos. S. Jones, who wished to return to her
people in Pennsylvania and of course desired to com-
municate with the Captain of the Rangers to get his
protection, but no one could tell of his whereabouts. Mr.
E. W. Burton, then a boy, informed the Mayor that he
could find him, and sure enough in a short while returned

22

having made the necessary arrangements, and protection
was assured. Sometime later Col, Underdonk came, and
knowing about the incident, found Mr. Burton and de-
manded to know the location of the Rangers, this time
to capture them, but Mr. Burton, loyal to his people,
refused to give the desired information: He was then
accused of being a spy for the Rangers, and was com-
manded to mount a caisson, filled with shells and other
explosives attached to a gun commanded by Sergeant
Eddy: While all this was going on the news came con-
cerning the sliooting of a soldier on the Paxton Lane,
and the battery was rushed on a full run to the spot;
Mr. Burton sweltering in the August heat and dust, held
on to the ropes until his hands were blistered: It is
needless to say that the Rangers were not found and the
battery returned to P]denton, parading Mr. Burton
through the streets. He was then taken before Col. Under-
donk and released, but on his way home he passed a rifle
some one had dropped in the street, and a Union soldier,
coming up suddenly accused him of having had it; this
came near being a serious matter for Mr. Burton, but
some ladies interceded, and tlie affair was dropped. The
Federals, however, were not entirely satisfied, and again
attempted to arrest him, but this time his mother con-
cealed him under the kitchen floor, taking up a plank in
the floor, Mr. Burton crawled under the building, the
plank was nailed down, and a piece of carpet put over
it. A search of the premises was made, but with no
success. Mr. Burton was fed secretly by his mother for
two days, until the last Yankee had left Edenton.

Underdonk 's Cavalry committed all sorts of depre-
dations, during their stay, they stole horses, provisions,
robbed private houses of everything they could carry off,
and insulted the citizens in every way possible. After
this only a few stragglers came to Edenton. Edenton
was unfortified during the war, and became neutral
ground for both Confederates and Federals.

I append the following interesting communication
from Genl. Butler.

23

HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH
CAROLINA,

Fort Monroe, February 10th, 1"864.

W. E. Bond, J. I. Cannon, Joseph Waff :

Gentlemen: In answer to the inquiry proposed by
you, as a committee from the citizens of Chowan County,
N. C, I respectfully answer to the first, viz :

First : What will be the policy pursued toward the
citizens of Chowan if they continue peaceable and quiet,
abstaining from all acts of hostility?

Answer : That if the inhabitants of that county re-
main peaceable and quiet, abstaining from all acts of
hostility, aiding blockade-running, or concealing guer^
rillas, they will not be interfered with by the troops of
the United States, as we have no occasion to go into
any parts of the country where no acts of hostility are
committed against the Government.

To the second question viz :

Second. Will expeditions be projected into our
country, and if found necessary to make them, will
peaceable citizens and private property be protected and
respected?

Answer: That unless some portion of Chowan
County is occupied by some forces or signal parties of
the Confederacy, or some parties hostile to the United
States take refuge in that county no expedition will be
sent therein, and if it becomes necessary to send expedi-
tions there the private persons, and property of peace-,
able citizens will be protected and the expeditions be con-
ducted on the principles laid down in General Orders,
No. 10, current series, a copy of which is hereby inclosed.

To the third question, viz :

Third. Was not the order requiring and enforcing
the oath of allegiance designed to apply only to persons
embraced within your picket-lines f

Answer. That as the Government of the United
States cannot throw, in fact its protection around the
citizens of Chowan, they are excused from the cor-
responding obligations of actively expressing their

24

allegiance to the Government, which might endanger
their safety from the enemies of the United States, and
therefore, the oath of allegiance will not be required of
the citizens of Chowan County until they are brought
within our lines.

To the fourth question, viz :

Fourth. Cannot trade with Norfolk be opened and
allowed to the people of Chowan and on what terms and
under what restrictions?

Answer. That trade may be carried on with Norfolk
under the same provisions as those given to the citizens
of Pasquotank County, as expressed in a letter given to
them, a duplicate of which is addressed to this committee.

In answer to the fifth question, viz :

Fifth. Cannot servants who have left us be pre-
vented from returning or at least be restained from
unnecessary offensiveness and actual outrage to feelings
or property of their former owners?

I have the honor to say :

Answer. That the negroes who have left the county
will not be allowed to return unless by stealth, and if
upon returning in such manner they outrage the property
or persons of their former owners it is hoped that they
will be arrested and held by the citizens of the county
and information sent to these headquarters, in order that
they may be sent for and punished.

The sixth question is a more difficult one, viz :

Sixth. Can our citizens be permitted to fish with
seines and nets on Albemarle Sound and on the eastern
side of Chowan River and on what terms and under what
restrictions.^

Answer. It is understood by the commanding gen-
eral that fishing with seines and nets in the sounds and
rivers affords a large quantity of provision for the in-
habitants of that part of North Carolina. The difficulty
is, therefore, that that provision thus obtained may be
stored in large amounts and tempt raids there by the Con-
federates, to the destruction of the peace of the county,
requiring an armed force to be sent there to meet those
raids on our part, unless we quietly permit supplies for

25

the rebel army to be drawn from that source. Now this
is entirely irrespective of the -good faith of the inhabi-
tants of that country for if they accuniulate provisions
with the intent to use them in their families they may
be taken from them justifiably, under the laws of war,
to support the rebel army. These circumstances sur-
round the use of the waters adjoining Chowan County
with difficulties, and by means of our gun-boats any use
of the w^aters msij be very^ easily prevented ; but the com-
manding general desires as is the policy of his Govern-
ment, to extend every facility to the peaceable and quiet
citizen of every part of the country to support them-
selves, and these facilities so far as it can be done with-
out injury to the success of his troops in the field, will
permit fish to be taken by seines and nets in the waters
adjoining the county of Chowan, on the east side of
Chowan River and the Albemarle, so long as no Con-
federate or North Carolina State troops shall come into
that county; and provided further that no one citizen
shall salt or cure more than ten barrels of fish for his
own use, and there shall be no greater accumulation at
any point within 7 miles of each other than one hundred
barrels of fish so cured, and at no point any such accumu-
lation be made more than 1 mile from navigable water
of at least 4 feet draught.

As this permission is given wholly in deference to
the wishes of the citizens of Chowan County, and for
their use and benefit, and without any possible good to
the United States except in taking care of its citizens
and with very possible harm if it be abused, the utmost
good faith will be required of the citizens to carry out in
the same spirit of fairness as it is permitted this business
of fishing and anj^ abuse of this privilege, or any in-
fraction of its terms, will be most severely dealt \di\i as
a breach of trust or confidence.

The seventh and last question, viz:

Seventh. We would further represent to Major-
General Butler, in behalf of our fellow-citizens that
during the progress of this dreadful conflict w^e have
been exempted to a great extent from the presence of

26

troops in our midst, and we conceive the locality to he
devoid of military impoi-tance, we sincerly hope and trust
that Major-General Butlei- may not order its occupation
by any of the troops under his command.

Is answered in the answer to the first question, and
in the general spirit of the answers in this note.

The commanding general desires to call the atten-
tion of the committee and others than the citizens of the
country to the fact that if their action is characterized
with good faith and true desire to preserve the peace
of the county there will be no possible difficulty and
trouble can only result from the acts of bad men. who,
either from hostility to the United States or from love
of gain, will hazard the interests of their fellow-citizens
and such men must be watched and restrained by the
organized action of the citizens of the country, who have
their own peace and quiet in their own hands.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your
obedient servant,

BEN J. F. BUTLER,

Major-General Commanding.

THE AERIVAL OF THE FEDERAL FLEET AT
EDENTON.

The morning of Wednesday, Fel^ruary 12th, 1862,
dawned calm and fair and beautiful at Edenton, the sun-
light flashing upon its bay like summer sheet-lightning:
Most of the inhabitants were at breakfast, busy clerks
were sweeping off the sidewalk in front of their stores,
two or three old covered carts, laden with country pro-
duce, were standing on Main Street just below^ the old
town pump, juntas of excited men were at the corners,
discussing the recent new^s of the fall of Roanoke Island,
and the capture of Elizabeth City : Some one came run-
ning up from the wharf saying that the enemy's fleet were
rounding Cherry's Point. No one could fore-tell the
object of their visit, everyone feared the bombardment
and destruction of the town.

27

''Then there was hurrying to and fro,
And gathering tears, and tremblings of distress.
Or whispering with white lips — The foe ! They come !
They come ! ' '

At first two men-of-war appeared around the Point,
and retired, then three were observed. It was half past
eight when they steamed slowly and cautiously in the
bay : Two came to anchor, but the Lockwood, commanded
by Captain Gr. W. Graves, landed at the foot of Main
Street : The first thing Captain Graves did was to order
his men to roll the cotton, some eight or ten bales be-
longing, I have heard to Dr. Geo. H. Cooke, aboard, and
packed it around his boilers, saying it would make a fine
protection : The other two boats proved to be the Perry
commanded by Flusser, and the Commodore Hull; both
old New York ferry boats, made into double-enders, with
guns mounted fore and aft. Some time before the arrival
of the fleet Col. R. G. Mitchell had sand hauled down at
the foot of the green, and the old revolutionary cannon
were mounted on wagon wheels and placed behind these
earthworks, but a number of citizens protested, thinking
the antiquated artillery could be of no service in de-
fending the town, and would merely invite its bombard-
ment and destruction: The guns were then parked be-
hind the court-house : But mischievous boys would drag
them down on the green every night, to be hauled behind
the court house by the town Constable every morning.
When the Federals came up town and found these guns,
a union officer ordered the soldiers to break off their
trunnions and spike them, cynically remarking, "there
is more danger behind them than in front of them. ' '

The fleet visited Edenton several times, and occasion-
ally a gunboat would come in the bay and send a boat
ashore for provisions, but would always pay for them,
and at no time did the United States Navy commit any
depredations here: The sailors seemed very friendly,
and would often empty their ammunition pouches, and
give their contents to the boys who wanted the powder
for hunting. One time a Confederate Soldier named Joe

28

Dennis, in uniform, recklessly went down on the wharf
with a crowd to meet one of these boats, but his uniform
was so old and dingy he was not recognized. Some
friends realizing his danger spirited him away.

On one occasion the Southfield, commanded by Capt.
Chas. F. W. Behm, a fat old Dutchman, cam-e in the bay,
and having heard there was a Ranker camp located to
the North of the town, fired several shots in that direc-
tion; they passed immediately over the house of an old
Mrs. Douglass, who had been bed-ridden for ten years:
Mrs. Douglass got up without assistance, and ran to a
neighbor's house, and never went back to her sick bed
again. After this two transports came in loaded with
soldiers and fugitive negroes; the negroes committed
many depredations, they went to the Page house, the
family being in Virginia, the faithful old family servant
in charge named John Nixon, protested in vain, but they
broke up and destroyed a great deal of fine furniture:
A lieutenant on General Henry W. Wessell's staff, hav-
ing been informed what was going on, went with a squad
of soldiers, and drove the negroes out, and had the prop-
erty protected ; other houses were also looted at the same
time: One of these transports was called the Commo-
dore Bell, after the war, she was sold by the United States
Government to private parties, and became the familiar
Steamer Louisa, that plied for many years between Balti-
more, Norfolk and Edenton.

At one time two or three gunboats came in with Gene-
ral J. G. Foster and his staff on board ; they came ashore
with their horses and paraded over the town during the
afternoon : No men were allowed ashore, and no depre-
dations were committed by his special orders.

A great many people left Edenton during the civil
war, some refugeed to Virginia, some retired to remote
parts of the county, while others removed to their farms
in the country. The population of Edenton then num-
bered about 1500 inhabitants.

21)

THE NAVAL BATTLE OF SANDY POINT.

On the fifth of May, 1864, Capt. J. A. Cooke, of the
Confederate Navy, left the Roanoke River, with the iron-
clad '^ Albemarle " and two tenders, the Cotton plant and
the Bombshell, determined if possible, to open up the
sounds to Hatteras Inlet: When just opposite Sandy
Point, at 2 o'clock that afternoon, he met the Federal
Squadron, consisting of seven gunboats and double-
enders, the Mattabessett, Sassacus, Wyalusing, Miami,
Commodore Hull, Whitehead and Ceres, under the com-
mand of Captain Melancton Smith: The fighting con-
tinued furiously until five o'clock, when the Sassacus
attempted to ram the Albemarle, but failing in that
manoeuvre, they tried to entangle her in a long seine,
but failed also, then an effort was made to torpedo her,
and finally, with no better success, to throw a keg of
gunpowder down her smokestack: The battle continued
until dark, when some of the Federal vessels becoming-
disabled, withdrew: The Albemarle then turned her
course toward the mouth of the Roanoke River, being
obliged to burn all the lard and bacon on board for fuel.
The total armament of the Federal fleet amounted to 55
guns. This is known as the Battle of Sandy Point. The
Albemarle reached Pl}T^nouth in safety, and moored to
the wharf, where she remained until blown up by Cushing,
on the night of October 27th, 1864: By this brave act
of Cushing, our entire section continued in the hands of
the enemy until the close of the war, and Confederate
activities ceased.

Of the dark days of Reconstruction that followed, I
say nothing, other and abler reapers have dwelt graphi-
cally and at length concerning it, and I shall rest content
to have my sheaves make their obeisance unto them.

What need we care if forests wither!
What need we fear if roof-tree fall!
For heaven has blessed us through it all.

30

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